Whitsons Expands Its Animal Welfare Initiatives

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Whitsons has expanded its commitment to seeking sustainable sourcing partnerships with its vendors. The company has switched over to purchasing cage-free shell eggs, eliminated veal from crates in all of its contract accounts, and has committed to transitioning to 100% gestation crate-free pork by 2017 and 100% cage-free liquid eggs by 2020.

We welcome the company’s leadership in improving the treatment of farm animals within its supply chain

Islandia, NY (PRWEB)April 02, 2015

Whitsons Culinary Group is pleased to announce an expansion to its sustainable supplier sourcing initiatives to include the purchase of cage-free shell eggs in 100% of its contract-managed accounts. In addition to this policy, which is currently in place, Whitsons has committed to transitioning 100% of its liquid egg purchases to cage-free sources by the end of 2020.

These initiatives supplement the company’s prior elimination of veal crates from its supply chain, as well as various sustainability efforts such as sourcing 52% of its products companywide from local suppliers and the company’s support of sustainable seafood sourcing, such as Whitsons’ partnership with a group of family-owned Alaskan long-line wild caught Salmon fisheries.

Additional initiatives include Whitsons’ commitment to transitioning to gestation crate-free pork by 2017. The company also continues to seek new opportunities for partnering with suppliers that share its commitment to the humane treatment of farm animals.

“We are strongly committed to the highest quality, safest purchasing practices, which includes sustainable sourcing initiatives that will improve farm animals’ lives, as well as strict compliance standards for all our vendors. We have been working for many months with our supply chain in preparation for these latest initiatives, which are critical aspects of our responsible purchasing practices,” explained Douglas Whitcomb, President. “Earth stewardship must be on everyone’s agenda, from supplier to manufacturer to consumer, in order to affect change. We are proud to play a role in supporting the advancement of animal welfare in our purchasing practices. Currently, these opportunities are limited and our hope is that, with the combined efforts of other companies, we will see additional opportunities to expand these programs in the future.”

The Humane Society of the United States applauded Whitsons’ new policies. “Whitsons’ commitment to eliminating the life-long cage confinement of egg-laying hens, calves and breeding pigs from its supply chain demonstrates a strong commitment to animal welfare," said Kristie Middleton, senior director of food policy for the Humane Society of the United States. "We welcome the company’s leadership in improving the treatment of farm animals within its supply chain."

About Whitsons:
Whitsons Culinary Group provides a wide range of highly customized dining services to public schools, corporations and institutions, with a strong focus on nutritious, high quality menus made from fresh, wholesome ingredients. Whitsons has a long and proud history of excellence and growth since 1979 and currently ranks the 19th largest dining contract management company in the United States (Food Management magazine, March 2015). Whitsons’ scope of expertise and services extends to: emergency dining, residential and healthcare dining, prepared meals, and school dining and services.